SSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

* * * * *

FREE ONCE MORE.

At the close of our fiscal year in 1887, we were enabled to utter the
joyful word "Free," no _debt_ darkening our balance sheet. Last
year (1888) we were compelled to moderate our tone and say "Not quite
free," for a balance of $5,641.21 stood on the wrong side of our
ledger. But now, in the good providence of God, we can say "Free once
more."

Our receipts from all sources were $376,216.88; payments, including
debt of last year, $371,745.21, leaving a credit balance of $4,471.67.
For this good result we are in some measure indebted to legacies. But,
under all circumstances, we rejoice in the past and look forward with
hope to the future. The work we have in hand, with its grand results,
as will be seen in the "General Survey" published in this number of
the MISSIONARY, will encourage our friends, and the call there made
for growth and enlargement, will, we are sure, stimulate them to
increased contributions and more earnest prayer. The "Survey" will
also contain a statement of the income and expenditure of the Hand
Fund.

* * * * *

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL.

The gathering of this representative body of the Congregational
churches of this country was the largest ever held. It grappled more
fully than any of its predecessors had done with great questions
touching the missionary and benevolent societies in their relations
to the churches and to each other, and the consolidation of the
missionary magazines. The most exciting topic discussed was that of
the Georgia Congregational Churches, white and colored. The result
reached on this point was that the representatives of two District
Conferences were enrolled, and that the representative of the United
Congregational Conference of Georgia was given a seat as an honorary
member.

* * * * *

THE COLORED DELEGATES.

The Southern Associations were represented by six colored delegates
in the National Council. Their bearing and ability won the respect and
admiration of the whole Council. They were modest and manly in their
deportment, prudent in their counsels and very eloquent in their
speech. They showed themselves to be the peers of their white
brethren, and demonstrated beyond a question the capacity of the
colored man for the highest intellectual and moral training. They were
a credit to the American Missionary Associatio